Directory_and_Chronicle_1918 — Page 662

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CHINNAMPO-KUNSAN–SYONG-JIN

forty minutes, the distance being 35 miles. The province is rich in agricultural and mineral wealth, the latter being now developed by foreign enterprise.

The business of the port is increasing year by year, the rich hinterland holding out good prospects for the future. The foreign trade of the port in 1916 was worth 12,076,000 yen, exports being valued at 8,232,000 yen and inports at 3,844,000 yen. In 1915 the total trade was 7,532,000 yen, exports yen 4,987,000, and imports 2,515,000 yen. In the General Foreign Settlement, where formerly only a few mud huts were to be seen, substantial wooden and brick buildings have taken their place. The business community is entirely composed of Japanese and Chinese. The Japanese population numbers about 5,000.

The principal articles of export are rice, beans, wheat, maize, cow-hides and timber. Of imports, cotton and silk piece goods, matches, kerosene, porcelain, iron and hardware deserve mention. The harbour of Chinnampo affords safe accom- modation for a great number of vessels of the deepest draught and the largest tonnage.

KUNSAN

Kunsan, one of the ports opened to foreign trade on the 1st May, 1899, is situated at the mouth of the Yong Dang River, which runs for many miles, forming the boundary line between the two provinces of Chulla-do and Chung-Chong-do, on the West Coast of Corea, and lies about halfway between Jenchuan and Mokpo. The two provinces referred to are so noted for their abundant supply of agricultural produce that they are called the magazines of the kingdom. In 1916 the foreign trade of the port was valued at 7,652,000 yen as compared with 9,581,000 yen in 1915. The principal articles of export are rice, wheat, beans, different kinds of medicines, ox-hides, grasscloth, paper, bamboo articles, fans (both open and folding), screens and mats, bêche de mer, dried awabi, with various kinds of fish and seaweed. Among import goods, shirtings, lawns, cotton yarn, matches, kerosene oil, etc., had already found their way to the port prior to its opening for distribution to different markets. Rice is still largely exported from Kunsan, and Japanese farmers have been attracted in considerable numbers to this neighbourhood. No Europeans reside in the port, but there is a foreign Municipal Council consisting of three members-two Japanese and one Korean-and there is a separate Municipal Council for the Japanese Settlement.

SYONG-JIN

城津

This port (Joshin) is situated on the north-eastern coast of Chosen (Corea), in the province of North Ham-kiung, about 120 miles from Wonsan. It was opened to foreign trade on the 1st May, 1899. The harbour is a bad one; indeed, it is little more than an open roadstead anchorage; from N.E. to S.E. it is quite exposed, and even with a moderate breeze from those quarters communication between ship and shore may have to be suspended. The anchorage is not spacious, though very easy of access, and vessels drawing 10 feet or so can lie within a quarter of a mile from the shore. Improved jetty accommodation has encouraged the visits of vessels to the port. Trade is carried on by small coasting steamers, principally with the port of Wonsan. The exports chiefly consist of beans, cowhides, hemp cloth and bêche de mer, whilst cotton goods, kerosene oil, iron ware and matches form the principal items of imports. The foreign trade for 1916 totalled 1,748,000 yen as compared with 1,070,000 yen in 1915. No Europeans reside in the port.